The Senate has granted approval to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to allocate N6.7 billion to the Kebbi government for projects undertaken on behalf of the federal government.
The Kebbi government had constructed various federal government roads within its jurisdiction, prompting Buhari to make the request in September 2022.
The approval came following a report presented by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts on Thursday. Clifford Ordia, the committee’s chairman, stated during his presentation in the upper legislative chamber that representatives of the Kebbi government had appeared before the panel to defend the state’s claim.
“The projects were executed on behalf of the federal government. The report was referred to the committee for further legislative action,” Ordia explained.
He continued, “The communication contained a request for approval of N18.6 billion for the Yobe government, N2.47 billion for the Taraba government, and N6.7 billion for the Kebbi government.”
The committee had previously stated its intention to review the outstanding request related to Kebbi as soon as possible. On November 23, 2022, the Senate considered the committee’s report on the promissory note program for Taraba and Yobe, which involved projects executed on behalf of the federal government. The Senate then instructed the committee to re-summon the Kebbi government within two weeks to defend its claim before the committee.
The projects in question, comprising federal roads, were executed between 2006 and 2012. The Ministry of Works and Housing conducted several inspection visits and verified that the completed federal roads in the state met the required standards. Additionally, the state government had fulfilled all payment obligations to the contractors involved in executing the projects.
